Pages

1.30.2014

Thanks for all your sweet comments and remarks regarding my sun room! I have had so much fun with it and can't wait to add the final touches over the next few months!

As I mentioned in my post, an Ikea coffee table makeover will be in the works this spring and that has me all excited with thoughts of coffee table styling!

Here are some photos that are really inspiring me!

I think this picture shows the perfect equation for coffee table styling:

Start with a tray- add a book (or three), some flowers, and a few fun accessories!

I initially wanted a clear acrylic tray like the one shown here, BUT, after further thought I am not sure if that is the best pick considering the Ikea table has a glass top. I may go for a tray with a little more pop...

I love the look of the mineral under the glass cloche!

We have lots of books, so I am loving this look!

This table has a glass cloche too! I also like the coral on the table!

Have y'all noticed that almost every table I've featured has one of those brass urchins!? Looks like I might need to order one!

So now a look at what I'm working with and where I'm headed...

Not much styling yet. I honestly haven't been too inspired to style this table when I know I am going to totally change it up in a few months. I will say, though, that my copies of Essentially Lillyand The Perfectly Imperfect Home(both gifts from B) will most definitely find a spot on the new table!

And remember, this is the end goal (minus the nesting square bit)!

Just a few reasons I am smitten with this look: it has a bottom shelf for styling in addition to the tabletop, the sleeker design will enable a better view of my elephant garden stool in the space, and HELLO...it's gold!

1.28.2014

After a snow week last week and a workday yesterday, I am really having to get back in the swing of things today! I have a feeling I will sleep well tonight!

Today I'm excited to share our nearly completed sun room with you!

This is the one room that Bryce gave me complete control over. It is my girlie escape within the house and I have had so much fun making it mine. As I've mentioned before, it seems like one project evolves into multiple projects, so there are still a few lingering changes and additions I'd like to make in the room, but it is nearly complete and I am smitten with it.

The sun room is just off the living room and has its very own door.

I've loved pulling everything together in this room and it has been a special place to display sentimental objects, such as the turquoise horse pictured here that was my grandfather's.

Directly across from the chairs is the door, as well as walls on either side. On the left side of the room (when looking from the chairs) the wall juts out because of the fireplace. Because of this I decided to add a bookshelf on the right. The bookshelf is a tight fit, but I think it balances out the space and also provides storage and room to display books, pictures, and trinkets.

This is the wall that backs up to the fireplace. I have had this "The South" sign since college and bought the painting on our vacation to Nags Head this past summer.

You can see here, how the wall juts out.

Ignore the bottom three shelves...more on that below.

A close up of two of the vignettes on the shelves...

Hobnail + Marble Eggs that belonged to my grandmother!

And finally, no girlie room would be complete without a chandy!

And now for what's left to be done...

I am going to order the doors that fit on the bottom of this bookshelf. I initially had planned to style all 6 shelves, but realized that our greater need was for some storage space. I also like that this gives more of a built-in look. I may switch out the standard black knobs for something a little more fun.

I also want to order some smaller pillows to add to the chairs. I haven't decided exactly what I want yet, but here are some of my initial thoughts...

I am all about the fur trend and think some Mongolian Lamb pillows may be fun in the space...not sure if I would quickly get tired of them, though.

Another thought I had was to bring in some black and white. The curtain rods we have are black and I really like the contrast of the black next to the colorful curtains. I thought I might be able to extend that contrast with pillows.

I'd really like fancy schmancy doorknobs like these throughout the house, but will settle with just the sunroom door for now!

The biggest project to tackle is a DIY coffee table. I have a mild obsession with gold decor and love this Ikea coffee table makeover which is pictured below.

When we bought the bookshelf at Ikea, I went ahead and got the Vittsjo Coffee Table and hope to recreate this DIY project. I, however, am going to ditch the nesting look. I will just use the rectangular section and think it will work, since the sun room is a small space.

And last, but not least, I really want to get a Moroccan pouf for the space.

I mentioned the shop in this Loving... post, but am so smitten by everything she offers that I knew I had to dedicate an entire post to her site (and believe me, even narrowing down what goodies to feature in today's post was hard!).

The shop specializes in home decor and gifts and I guarantee you could find something for just about anyone on her site.

1.22.2014

This teacher is happy for MLK Jr. Day and snow days making for a very short week!

Today I am sharing a recipe for pimiento cheese ham biscuits.

I posted about these on Instagram a few weeks ago and got many recipe requests.

For the biscuits...

Yeast Biscuits:

Ingredients

5 c. all purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

5 tbs. sugar

2/3 c. Crisco

1 package dry yeast (we use quick rising)

1/2 c. warm water

2 c. buttermilk

Directions

Sift flour and combine with baking powder, salt, soda, and sugar.

Mix in the Crisco with a fork until crumbly.

In a measuring cup, mix dry yeast package and water. Add this to the dry mixture.

Pour in buttermilk.

Mix until smooth and elastic.

Roll on floured surface and use biscuit cutter to make biscuits.

Allow to rise ~15 min.

Bake at 425F for 8-10 min

Butter and add thin slices of country ham.

*This makes about 40 mini biscuits and the unused dough can be stored in the fridge for up to 5-7 days.

Now, friends, the recipe could stop right there. These are the ham biscuits Bryce's mom makes and they are my absolute favorite. I wanted to do something a little more creative, though, and thought why not add some pimiento cheese to the biscuits?

Below is my favorite pimiento cheese recipe, though you could easily use store bought if you're in a pinch for time. As always, any alterations I make to the original recipe are italicized.

1.20.2014

I am very happy to be off school today for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

I had originally planned to do a weekend recap today with snapshots from the weekend, but as I've been thinking about today's significance I thought a more thoughtful post was in order...

As you might expect, we have been teaching the kids about Martin Luther King Jr. in the last week. Explaining a situation like segregation to five year olds is tough.

Furthermore, most of my students are black or multiracial, making my job even bigger. Learning about a man that fought so much for their futures is of utmost importance. Without launching a discussion about today's social issues or race, I'd like to also point out that many of my students' don't have the most positive role models in their homes. Personally, as a teacher, I sometimes wonder how far my impact will extend throughout their lives. Will these children that I try to love, uplift, and educate rise above social barriers or simply continue the cycle of poverty that they've experienced?

I have two favorite activities that I do with my kindergartners when teaching about MLK. The first is that I absolutely love the book My Brother Martin. It may be slightly advanced for kindergartners, but it is one that is easy to bring down to their level. The book is written by Christine King Farris, the sister of Martin Luther King Jr. I like it so much, because it tells the story of Martin as a child. It references him by his nickname M.L. and shares stories of pranks that he did as a child. I think that so often historical figures are put up on this pedestal to children. They have such a grand persona that it makes it difficult for children to relate. By laughing over the story of Martin and his siblings playing jokes on unsuspecting neighbors, students are able to think "he was just like me."

After reading the book this week, the students, unprompted by me, began a discussion of their racial backgrounds. When I gave examples of his impact today, students jumped at the fact that blacks and whites can marry. My students all raised their hands proudly stating whether they were "black" "white" or "mixed" (a term I totally wasn't expecting to come out of their mouths) and even going so far as to explain "light skinned" or "dark skinned." I did not actively participate, rather just sat back and let them proudly share who they are from a racial standpoint. I want my students to see their race as something to be proud of and to see positive roles models, like Martin Luther King Jr.

Finally, the other activity I love is to actually show students a clip of the "I Have a Dream" speech. Not only can they see what an impact he was by seeing the large crowd, but they can also see him "alive" and hear the passion in his voice. Over and over I repeat my favorite quote of his to them:

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

I want them to know that character is what counts most, more than any physical feature that can be seen from the outside.

What do you find to be the greatest words or contributions of Martin Luther King Jr.?

If you are a parent, or fellow teacher, how do you explain "grown up" topics like segregation to young kids?

1.14.2014

Today I want to share a fabulous store with you...if you're in the Virginia area it is worth a trip!

Last year while visiting AMF one weekend, we ventured to Old Lucketts Store in Leesburg, Virginia.

The store is three stories and houses 35 different vendors. It specializes in "Vintage Hip" home accessories. They even have a Design House which features a monthly interior design showcase where everything is for sale!

The Design House is opening again next month and I am hoping to make the trip up for it!

Take a look at what I saw last year...

I ogled over all these different knobs!

I can't pick a favorite!

How cozy and sweet is this table?

I am still kicking myself for not bringing home some of those topiaries...the little ones were a mere $15! Anna and I got caught at closing time and had to quickly choose what to purchase before they kicked us out!

Nautical Chic

I brought home one of these antlers to Bryce!

I love gold...and I love bars! Ha!

Not from Virginia?

You're in luck- I discovered when writing this post, that they even have an online shop, here!